This was a banner week for White Sox minor league hitters. 11 hitters posted an OPS over 1.1 this week. Dayan Viciedo was among them, showing he is back to form after his injury. On the pitching side there weren’t many dominating performances, but a lot of very good ones. After a mostly forgettable season prospect wise, it’s very good to see some names begin to stand out.
Hot Hitter: Tyler Saladino, SS, High-A
Stats: .630/.643/1.111 with 4 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 1 BB and 3 K in 23 AB
The shortstop took home Carolina League player of the week honors and deservedly so with a scorching hot week. He’s been getting some buzz lately because there’s quite a bit to like about him. He plays solid defense at a premium position, has shown good power and has improved during the year. After missing April and part of May with a broken hand suffered in spring training, Saladino has been very good for the Dash. He hit just .192 in May while returning to form after the injury, which makes his .265/.352/.501 overall line look that much better. He’s hitting .285 and slugging .533 since the start of June. He looks like a top five prospect in the system right now. Honorable mentions: Dayan Viciedo (.435/.462/.870), Dallas McPherson (.462/.500/.923), Kevan Smith (.524/.600/.714) and Jon Gilmore (.471/.550/.706).
Cold Hitter: Tyler Kuhn, OF, AA
Stats: .154/.214/.231 with 2 BB and 6 K in 26 AB
After all the moves Kuhn has had this year, you’d think he would be tired of it. Kuhn is in his third stint with the Barons. This one coming after he was starting to hit his stride with the Knights. However, the move was made so he could be on the Barons’ playoff roster. He is showing signs of getting back into the groove though. Kuhn is 4-9 in his last two games after starting 0-17 in trip No. 3 this year for Birmingham. “Honorable” mentions: Alden Carrithers (.111/.111/.222), Kenneth Williams (0-17, 1 BB, 5 K) and Daurys Mercedes (.118/.211/.118).
Hot Pitcher: Scott Snodgress, SP, Rookie Great Falls
Stats: 6 IP, 0 R, 9 K, 0 BB, 0 H
Snodgress retired all 18 batters he faced on Thursday, starting the combined no-hitter for the Voyagers (Blake Drake and Joe Dvorsky completed the no-no). The former Stanford reliever has been stretched out into a starting role for Great Falls and done quite well. With 49 strikeouts against 15 walks in 39.1 innings, the 6-5 lefty has been a pleasant surprise this summer. He was taken in the fifth round, but a lot of scouting sites didn’t have him going that early. That said, the Sox have taken a lot of tall pitchers in recent years and you can never have enough lefties. Honorable mentions: Dylan Axelrod (14.2 IP, 1.23 ERA, 14 K, 1 BB, 6 H), Orlando Santos (5.2 IP, 0 R, 8 K, 0 BB, 1 H), Hector Santiago (7 IP, 1.29 ERA, 8 K, 1 BB, 8 H), Justin Collop (8.1 IP, 1.08 ERA, 7 K, 2 BB, 5 H) and Matt Heidenreich (7 IP, 1 UER, 8 K, 0 BB, 5 H).
Cold Pitcher: Kevin Vance, RP, Rookie Great Falls
Stats: 2 IP, 22.50 ERA, 3 K, 2 BB, 5 H
After a strong season at a good college program like UConn, Vance looked like he should be able to handle rookie ball. However, he has struggled with the Voyagers despite good strikeout and walk numbers. He has 35 K to 8 BB in 24.1 IP in the Pioneer League, but opponents are hitting .339 against him. “Honorable” mentions: Nevin Griffith (4.2 IP, 5.79 ERA, 3 K, 6 BB, 6 H), Jake Wilson (0 IP, 4 ER, 0 K, 0 BB, 4 H) and Joe Serafin (3.2 IP, 19.63 ERA, 3 K, 2 BB, 10 H).